The Steam Room by MidamgolfHQ

July 2025

What we are steaming on this month:

We are back! June delivered in a big way and we are excited to recap it all. By the way please spread the love if you like this newsletter and get your friends to subscribe!

We kicked off the month with a rare gem—the once-every-four-year tradition known as The Sanger at Fishers Island. While we’ll honor the event’s understated spirit and keep details light, we’re thrilled to report that friend of the newsletter, Will Davenport, emerged victorious. A well-earned win on one of the game's most treasured stages.

From there, the pace picked up quickly. Matt Vogt burst into the national spotlight at this year’s US Open qualifying, so much so that the USGA awarded him the honor of hitting the opening tee shot at Oakmont - what a thrill! A packed calendar took us from the Carlton Woods Invitational to the CB Macdonald, then on to the Anderson Four-Ball, and finally to the iconic George C. Thomas Invitational at Los Angeles Country Club. We’ve got coverage and insights from all of these events below.

On the women’s side, the spotlight was on the AGA (Amateur Golf Alliance) Amateur, where Kelsey Chugg dominated the field with a commanding 5-shot victory. It was a showcase of top-tier talent—many of whom you’ll see again this fall at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur.

Looking ahead to July, the team here at MidAmGolfHQ is catching its breath before the action picks back up in August. Best of luck to everyone competing in their state mid-ams and USGA qualifiers.

Now, let’s dive into the full newsletter.

2025 June Mid-Am Tournament Results

Carlton Woods Invitational

June 3-5

Carlton Woods Golf Club

Champion - Robert Gwin

​MidamgolfHQ was out roaming the fairways taking in all the action down Houston way. This years invitational had it all—pressure-packed drama, clutch birdies, and a walk-off win. In the end, it was Robert Gwin who stole the show, outlasting Joseph Deraney in a nail-biting playoff to capture one of mid-amateur golf’s most prestigious titles on the iconic Nicklaus signature course.

Gwin, who finished solo ninth here in 2024, came into the final round just one shot off the lead. Cool as ever, he fired a steady 69, with birdies on 10, 13, and 15 to catch Deraney at 4-under-par 212. After three hard-fought rounds (73-70-69), Gwin delivered the knockout blow in extra holes to claim the coveted Eagle Trophy.

Deraney, the savvy veteran and 36-hole leader, looked poised for another big win after rounds of 69-70. A birdie at 16 gave him a late spark, but a few late stumbles—including a costly bogey—opened the door just enough. Gwin didn’t need a second invitation.

High stakes, big moments, and a finish for the ages—Carlton Woods delivered once again.

Leaderboard
-4 | Robert Gwin | 73-70-69 = 212 *
-4 | Joseph Deraney | 69-70-73 = 212

Full Results

Anderson Memorial Four-Ball

June 5-8

Winged Foot Golf Club

Champions: Jimmy Chestnut and Scott Strickland

Winged Foot Golf Club, a name synonymous with championship golf, once again played host to some of the country’s finest mid-amateurs at the 88th Anderson Memorial Four-Ball Invitational. And when the final putt dropped on the revered West Course, it was a familiar script: Jim Chestnut and Scott Strickland raising the trophy again.

Representing Oakland Hills Country Club, Chestnut and Strickland successfully defended their title in dramatic fashion, edging out Christian Cavaliere and Matt Minerva of Hudson National Golf Club in a playoff to claim the Championship Division.

The event was shortened by weather. The usual format would include 16 teams facing off in match play. However this year the final four teams played off in a one round stroke play style event. We have seen this in recent memory with the 2022 championship facing issues from a hurricane that year. Congrats to Jim and Scott who seem to have this event on lockdown!

Leaderboard
-1 | Chestnut and Strickland | 69 *
-1 | Cavaliere and Minerva | 69

Full Results

C.B Macdonald Invitational Tournament

June 13-15

National Golf Links of America

Champion: Stew Hagestad

Stew Hagestad added another jewel to his already impressive amateur crown, storming through a stacked field to win the 2025 C.B. Macdonald Invitational at the iconic National Golf Links of America.

The bracket was loaded with mid-amateur talent but Hagestad was locked in from the first tee to the final handshake. After commanding wins over TJ Shuart and Ryan Abbate, Hagestad would knock off Sam Lape to punch his ticket to the final.

That set up a marquee showdown with Andy Schonbaum, who had taken out two strong opponents in Will Davenport and Prescott Butler on his way to the finals. But Hagestad was in full control, closing out Andy 5&4 to claim the historic trophy and title.

The event features 8 flights in total and outside of Hagestad winning the 1st flight other winners included: Nate Smith (2nd flight),Bobby Leopold (3rd flight), Alex Robertson (4th flight), Andrew Lawson (5th flight), Stuart Katzoff (6th flight), Zan Banks (7th flight), and Jonathan Keane (8th flight).

Leaderboard
Hagestad 5&4 > Schonbaum

Full Results

The George C. Thomas

June 26-28

The Los Angeles Country Club

Champion: Drew Kittleson

Drew Kittleson didn’t just win the George C. Thomas Invitational, he put on a show. Firing rounds of 68-69-66 for a sizzling 54-hole total of 203, Kittleson ran away from the field at Los Angeles Country Club’s iconic North Course, winning by a jaw-dropping 10 shots over runner-up Stephen Hale.

His final-round 66 was pure fireworks, highlighted by a front-nine 31 that turned the rest of the day into a victory lap. On a course known for chewing up even the best amateurs, Kittleson was the only player to finish under par.

The George C. Thomas Invitational pays tribute to legendary course designer George C. Thomas Jr., the mastermind behind LACC’s North Course a 1921 gem restored to its brilliant, brainy best. With firm greens, wicked angles, and bold risk-reward choices, it’s hosted the likes of the 2017 Walker Cup and the 2023 U.S. Open. But this week, it was all Kittleson.

Leaderboard
- 7 | Drew Kittleson | 68-69-66 = 203
+3 | Stephen Hale | 69-74-70 = 213

Full Results

2025 “Major” Mid-Am Events

Gasparilla Invitational - February 2025 - Scott Turner

The Snedeker Memorial - March 2025 - Nate Smith

Champions Cup Four-Ball - April 2025 - Will Davenport and Nick Maccario

The Giles Invitational - May 2025 - Andrew Bailey

The Walter J. Travis Invitational - May 2025 - Chris DeJohn

John T. Lupton Memorial - May 2025 - Ben Reeves

The Huddleston Cup - May 2025 - Bobby Massa

The Sanger Invitational - June 2025 - Will Davenport

C.B Macdonald Invitational Tournament - June 2025 - Stew Hagestad

Anderson Memorial 4-ball - June 2025 - Jim Chestnut and Scott Strickland

Carlton Woods Invitational - June 2025 - Robert Gwin

George C Thomas Invitational - June 2025 - Drew Kittleson

Mid-Am Team Championship - August 2025

The Picard Cup - August 2025

The Valentine Invitational - August 2025

USGA Men’s Mid-Am - September 2025

USGA Women’s Mid-Am - September 2025

Trans-Miss Mid-Master Championship - September 2025

The Crump Cup - September 2025

The Stocker Cup - October 2025

John R. Williams 4-ball - October 2025

National Invitational Tournament - November 2025

The Ice Bath

Our little corner of the golf world continues to grow and so does this newsletter. If you know a brand that is aligned with mid-amateur golf and would want to partner with us - please send them our way!

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Until next month…..